Reconstructing phylogenies from nucleotide sequences is a challenge for students because it strongly depends on evolutionary models and computer tools that are frequently updated. We present here an inquiry-based course aimed at learning how to trace a phylogeny based on sequences existing in public databases. Computer tools are freely available on the Internet. Student feedback has been more than satisfactory in the six years (2002-2007) when this course was active at the University of Oviedo (Spain).